OAKLAND (AP) — A Maine company is awaiting the OK from the federal government to begin producing and selling absinthe, an alcoholic beverage that was banned in the U.S. until 2007.
Tree Spirits of Oakland has created its first gallon of the anise-flavored spirit, which was banned for nearly a century due to unfounded concerns it contained high levels of a chemical compound that made it hallucinogenic.
Before the absinthe can be sold, the alcohol and the label it’ll be sold under have to be approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
Tree Spirits co-owner Bruce Olson tells the Morning Sentinel he and his business partner could get approval and start selling the product within two months, making them the first in Maine to receive approval for the drink.
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